Joey
(if you have SoundCloud issues an alternative link is at the bottom of this page, thanks)

My uncle who inspired this write was truly a gentle soul. I wish I had known him for a longer time.

A few weeks ago I reflected on a time during my hospital administrative career when everything possible, it seemed, was in crisis. During that time my staff gave me a bowl with a single candle in it (based on the old Chinese proverb). Thinking about that and looking at the bowl that 35 years later (it still sits in our home) lead me to what became verse three. Janice commented that it reminded her of my uncle and that lead me to expand on my memories of him.

I put together a chord structure with my usual RT genre mashup :-), Janice quickly came up with a melody/vocal and Tom (tommyad) hugely complemented the whole feel with his guitar.

Thanks for your time -- comments are both welcomed and appreciated!

J&B

Vocal: Janice (Rodes NT1/Blue Icicle/Logic Pro X)
Lead Guitar: Tom
Guitar R RT 362 Acoustic Strumming
Guitar R RT 680 Electric RockBritSoul
Drums RD N’ville 8ths
Bass RT 1036 Northern Rock Ballad
Accordion RT 1757 Pop
Piano RT 2045 Country Pop

Track Effects/Mastering: Nectar 2 and Ozone 6

© 2015 Janice & Bud Merritt All Rights Reserved

V1
Joey was a kind man, he walked life with purpose
We’d hike the nearby forest, the two of us
He delighted in every shape and color
I learned to see beauty all around me in nature

Chorus
When he passed on few seemed to care
He’s gone, but I feel his gentle soul everywhere
In every garden, in every forest I still see him
And hear nature singing his last hymn

V2
Joey forever swam against the tide
It didn’t bother me, it was fun being along for the ride
I was young maybe nothing more than curious
he didn't mind, he was always so gracious

Chorus

V3
he taught me how to make each moment last
to worry less about the future and the past
light a single candle when the blues seem endless
Joey said it’s better than cursing the darkness

Chorus

Alternate play link:
Joey

This is an emotional giant and perfect execution of every element of the song. Vocals, Tommy's guitar and Bud's production. This is very moving -- a gift to each of us here on the forum. Loved it.
Hats off to the 'Dream Team'.

Charlie

The mix here is really good! I think the balance is great. Smooth sound, with some great instrumental work. wow, great. Vocals are pretty pitchy, but have great tone. Noise floor is really high, not sure what to do about that, depends on why I suppose, I'm not sure it's all that big a deal. Can't say I'm wild about the lyrical structure, or the melody. The vocals slide so much the melody is a little hard to pick out but I suppose that's the style it was written in so it may be intentional, so maybe I'm fussing over genera preferences which I shouldn't do. Anyway, I would say you folks put alot of work into this and it shows. fun.

Thank you Charlie. Janice and I are appreciative of your remarks. We don't write too many "true life" songs (as Bill Monroe calls them) and were a little apprehensive of how it might be received. Your comments make us feel a lot better about the endeavor.

J&B

Hi Bud and Janice,

This song kinda reminds me of Mr Bo Jangles, because both songs are nostalgic examinations of a man, they're both pop-Americana style songs, and they both contain an accordion. Not a lot of songs fit that description. If you added a mandolin, it would be even closer!

This is a bit of a departure from your established style... but I think that's part of what this forum is all about: creating an environment where people will try new things and push those boundaries into fresh territory!

I was expecting Tommy to add pedal steel, but this guitar does a great job of creating a completely different kind of motif for a completely different kind of song.

Man, I really like that accordion!

Janice, as usual you bring a great deal of emotion to the story with your vocal inflections and signature sliding vocal style.

Bud, you remain the master of the minimal mix. You're the one guy who nobody could ever say "needs more cowbell". You also wrote the song and lyrics, right? Very cool!

My biggest takeaway on this song is that everybody involved stepped outside their comfort zone and pulled it off! Great job everybody!

By the way, you got me with the false ending at 3:10. Just so ya know. I mean I was totally resolved then the song unresolved me then resolved me again. I was so confused I had to get my drivers license out to see who I am. That was great. Like drugs, only no side effects.

Thanks Pat. Interesting about you mentioning the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. I hadn't thought of that song in many years and, yup, there are certainly similarities.

Venturing out is both fun and filled on occasion with some trepidation. But, hey, after playing hardcore bluegrass of and on for 40+ years everything we do with BiaB is out of my comfort zone.

Thanks for mentioning the mix. There are a few folks here who work miracles with large numbers of tracks and it sounds great. Me? 4-6 tracks is about it for my old brain.

Thanks again!

J&B

Oh, this has such a great atmosphere!
Very nice lyrics and as usual, very well sung, but also the accordion gives that little extra in the song.
Almost forget the lead,... very cool Tommy!

Rob

Thanks Rob. We always look forward to
and appreciate your comments. I've
been wanting to use that accordion for
a long time. Glad you felt it added to
the song.

J&B

Hi Janice & Bud and Tommy,
+1 from me. Couldn't say it better.
I enjoyed this from beginning to end.
Thanks for the background story.

Guenter

Janice & Bud,

I think this song is just great - my favorite vocal by Janice to date - so natural and filled with emotion... Great guitar by Tommy as usual.

Well done guys!

Bob

Gentleness pervades the song, the vocals and guitar, and sounds great to me.
Cheers.

Hi Janice and Bud,
At the Avant-Premiere at SC I was blown away from the first line.
You took me over the ocean into yours, and Joey's world.
Pat said it all, Janices vocals, Toms guitar, and Buds composing and mixing, as good as it gets!
Take care
Fred

Thanks to all who have mentioned the guitar work. Just a very simple part and Bud & Janice make that very easy to do. What a joy it is to work with them. We are always on the same page. An earlier comment mentioned Janice's vocal as being pitchy. Well..... Around these parts Janice is known as the natural alternative to Melodyne. Just dead nuts center of the note every time. Sliding in and out of notes and blues inflections are something totally different than pitch. Anyways, Bud wrote a great piece here and we shouldn't let differences of opinion taint that accomplishment. Thanks again to all who enjoyed this one. Tom

AMEN BROTHAH!

Thank you Guenter!

J&B



Thanks Bob. I initially had a lot of doubts but it seemed to come together after Janice sang and then Tom's guitar iced the cake.

Bud



Cool. Happy that it worked for you!

J&B

that's it! Gentleness!!

I relate to that line, what a wonderful idea.....must research that old proverb.

Why can't I think of a sentence like that 'cos it says it all for me.

great guitar and wonderful words, Janice's vocals are superb as usual, each note sounds so effortless

We meet wonderful people on our journey through life, people that stay for ever in our thoughts, Joey seems one of those without whom life would be poorer.

beautiful

Alyn

Team, what a great collaboration. High standard throughout. Superb vocal, and Tommy does a fantastic job on guitar.
A really nice, and enjoyable listen.

Thanks

Sweet song!! Pretty and heartfelt, AND what song would not be made better by some Tommyad guitar-loved the vibe (I loved tremolo from the moment I first heard it in the 60's, and still do-can be very emotional). Song is flawlessly delivered and arranged. I think I have a great ear for pitch (doesn't mean I don't miss, but I'm aware of it). I hear a flat acoustic guitar string on Band on the Run by Wings, and Dennis DeYoung from Styx makes me cringe every time I hear Babe, but Janice is as spot on as anyone I've heard on and off the forum. Another great tune!! Take care. Greg

"...hear nature singing his last hymn"

What a terrific line! Nice write, y'all - a great portrait.

The production is perfect. Supportive and never in the way. Excellent mix (you are the king).

Tom's guitar is icing! The easy tremolo was perfect. And also perfectly supportive - no flash...

Sung with the emotion the subject deserves!

Flows like a Georgia mountain creek in early Spring...

floyd

Fred, that is very thoughtful of you. Thanks!

Janice




Thanks Tom. It was a fun project that quickly came together and that tremelo guitar was perfecto for the feeling. Thanks for the vocal comments. Back with the bluegrass band we used to do old school country songs a la George Jones and Melba Montgomery. And that's where Janice started her "bent note" singing. Not to mention that some of the bluegrass greats are masters of it. Perhaps not everybody's choice but we have fun with it.







J&B

Hi Janice & Bud and Tommy,

This is simply beautiful in all respects.

Now I'm lost for words.

Just SO well done, all.

ROG.

Hi Janice and Bud.
A very thought provoking listen. Enjoyed it. Thank you!

Nicely done.

As you've mentioned, there's something more personal about this particular song, and I think it comes through in the lyric. To my ears, the lyric seems a bit less polished, in the sense that you're more interested in what it says instead of simply fitting in a rhyme.

That's a good thing.

Alyn, thank you for the very thoughtful remarks. He was, indeed, one of those persons.

J&B




Thanks! We all three appreciate you listening and commenting.

J&B
www.janiceandbud.com

Thank you Greg. That tremolo really added a lot. I've always liked it and like you dug it when I first heard it in the 60's. Thanks for the kind remarks and your support.

J&B

Nicely written and performed. A different sounding song than I've heard from you in the past. Tommy's guitar adds a nice musical counterpoint as all other instruments are acoustic.

Bud's production is as radio ready as always. Nice job on the fade out at the end.

Thanks floyd. I appreciate the remark re the mix 'cause as you know I am assuredly a work in progress. And, man, are we ever ready to visit one of those N GA streams in early Spring. Bring it on!

J&B

Hey Ya'll

Another excellent job. A bit of a departure from your norm, but well done and I liked it!
I believe I also have a good ear for pitch... and I hear no problems!

Greg

I think this is definitely one of your best (and that's saying a lot)! Janice, your vocals always come out so real, sincere, pure and flawless. The writing on this one is superb. Tom's guitar fits like a glove, and the accordian adds a nice intimacy.

I like it.

Steve

Another hit for I-75!


Regards,

Bob

Thank you so much. That means so much especially since we have such a high regard for your productions.

Janice



Thank you Josie!

Janice

Nicely presented. I like this piece and you did an excellent mix on this.

RichR

Thanks. And yes it was more personal fo sure!

J&B



Thank you Jim. We appreciate the comments.

J&B



We appreciate both your comments and support!

J&B



Wow Steve! Those are some kind comments and we are grateful for them. Janice has a huge smiley face!

Bud

Thanks BoB. We're shopping around for an agent.

J&B

First I have to laugh at myself when, knowing full well that Tom did the guitar work, halfway through I forgot and went back to look and see what realtrack that great guitar was! lol!

I love the choice of instruments here and especially the accordion, and the mix and vocals are superb!

What a wonderful tribute!

Thanks, we appreciate the shout out on the mix!

J&B

Thanks. I'm sure Tom will get a kick outa that!

J&B

This song has so much love in it. I had an Aunt I loved like that. Much enjoyed.


Josie

Thank you Josie. That was very sweet of you to say that.

Janice